Wednesday, March 23, 2011

I got to grub in the dirt this week! Just for a few minutes. Under that mountain of snow at Mama's house was a bucket of this happy little green plant. A variety of sedum, I think. Perfect for my favorite little teacup that I broke this week and mended with crazy glue. I hope this plant likes my kitchen and decides to trail all over the place. Succulents are the only kind of house plant that really thrive in my house: when I forget to water them they just bloom! :)

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

My great-grandmother in her later years took up the lovely art of candlewicking. I don't know if she had done it before or not. She left several lovely pieces, one of them this pillow cover. I spent happy minutes this morning ironing the freshly washed cover and sewing it over a pillow to enjoy on my bed. Greta has a quilt on her bed whose squares were also made by her--a thing of beauty. I am so glad to be able to have these pieces of my great-grandmother's work in my home. Her choice to keep her hands busy and to make something beautiful, not knowing how it might bless others, inspires me today to do the same.

The Lord did indeed bless us with a 'pearl' when He gave us Greta. She is such a treasure. So tender-hearted, expressive, loving, energetic. She loves to dress in pretty skirts and wear pink and cook and bake and dance and read her Storybook Bible at bedtime. Little Pink Person. She turned three last Wednesday. Three--how can it be? It was a lovely day at home. She helped me bake her birthday cake. A delicious gluten-free chocolate cake from Elana'salmond flour cookbook frosted with marshmallow frosting. She put the sprinkles and candles on entirely by herself (as she would say, "wiss mysewf").

"Remember, remember, remember the signs. Say them to yourself when you wake in the morning and when you lie down at night, and when you wake in the middle of the night. And whatever strange things may happen to you, let nothing turn your mind from following the signs. And secondly, I give you a warning. Here on the mountain I have spoken to you clearly: I will not often do so down in Narnia. Here on the mountain, the air is clear and your mind is clear; as you drop down into Narnia, the air will thicken. Take great care that it does not confuse your mind. And the signs which you have learned here will not look at all as you expect them to look, when you meet them there. That is why it is so important to know them by heart and pay no attention to appearances. Remember the signs and believe the signs. Nothing else matters. And now, daughter of Eve, farewell--"

Friday, March 4, 2011

Mama's house has become my Monday sewing place. She graciously offered her home and help with babies and food so I could get a few of those all-consuming sewing projects worked on. It was Pa's birthday this Monday, and we stayed for supper. Mama and I got to walk to our sweet drug store, the babies both had a nap, Olivia baked, Ben was home and Will came later, and of course there was tea and sweaters.

Greta got to make frosting for Pa's German chocolate cake with Auntie Livi. Oh, how happy that made her!

Lovely sister, chopping walnuts

Oh the joy of baking with Auntie!

A happy birthday cake for Pa ~'::

Mr. Yummy, tired & teething

A few more of the beauties of Mama's house, supper ready and waiting for the guys to come home~

Kat

'When he began, he said to God with a filial trust, "O my God, since Thou are with me, and I must now, in obedience to Thy commands, apply my mind to these outward things, grant me the grace to continue in Thy presence; and prosper me with Thy assistance. Receive all my works, and possess all my affections." As he proceeded in his work, he continued in his familiar conversation with his Maker, imploring His grace, and offering Him all his actions.'~Brother Lawrence, from The Practice of the Presence of God

"O Sovereign Lord, Let those that are united to me in tender ties be precious in thy sight and devoted to thy glory. Sanctify and prosper my domestic devotion, instruction, discipline, example, that my house may be a nursery for heaven."

'When saints do sleepy grow, let them come hither,
And hear how these two pilgrims talk together;
Yea, let them learn of them, in any wise,
Thus to keep ope their drowsy slumb'ring eyes.
Saints' fellowship, if it be managed well,
Keeps them awake, and that in spite of hell.'
~ "Christian" from The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan

A.That I am not my own,[1] but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death,[2] to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ.[3] He has fully paid for all my sins with His precious blood, [4] and has set me free from all the power of the devil.[5] He also preserves me in such a way[6] that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head;[7] indeed, all things must work together for my salvation.[8] Therefore, by His Holy Spirit He also assures me of eternal life[9] and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for Him.[10]